Lhug-Pa wrote:Dronma, I get it now. The times are Australian, not GMT. And I didn't see 12 PM, but 12 AM which I figured actually meant 12 PM. Whoever is in charge of writing out the times always makes that mistake and it can be confusing because some people (like myself) might be thinking: "Is it actually 10 PM to 12 AM? Is it a 14 hour teaching? Or what...?"

Yes, it is true. This is the reason I prefer the times to be written in 24 hours style.

"My view is as vast as the sky, but my actions are finer than flour" ~ Padmasambhava ~

"But if you know how to observe yourself, you will discover your real nature, the primordial state, the state of Guruyoga, and then all will become clear because you will have discovered everything"-Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche

Dronma wrote:Yes, it is true. This is the reason I prefer the times to be written in 24 hours style.

It's not 24 hour style, but close enough:

Namgyalgar North retreat

16th-22nd March 2012

Teaching is the Zhaldam (Advice) of the great teacher Khyenrab Chos-kyi Odzer, who was one of the most important students of the great Dzogchen Master Zhenga Rinpoche.

OPEN WEBCAST

BRISBANE TIME GMT +10 hoursCheck the time here: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=47

NOTE: Local Pacific Daylight times (PDT) in parens after Brisbane day and time

16th March 5-7pm. (STARTS PDT MIDNIGHT THURSDAY, MARCH 15)Start of the retreat: An introduction to the retreat Teaching and the transmission of Ati Guru Yoga, which is always being in the essence, and the Tridlung of Short Thun.

17th March 10-12am. (STARTS PDT 5PM FRIDAY, MARCH 16)Transmitting the 1st verse of Zhaldam with its Three principle teachings and the Tridlung of Short Gana Puja.

17th March 1-2pm. (STARTS PDT 8PM FRIDAY, MARCH 16)We do a short Gana Puja for the day of Dakini and Anniversary of Ayu Khandro.

18 th March 10-12am. (STARTS PDT 5PM SATURDAY, MARCH 17)Transmitting the 2nd of Zhaldam verse with its Three principle teachings and direct introduction.

19th March 10-12am. (STARTS PDT 5PM SUNDAY, MARCH 18)Transmitting the 3rd of Zhaldam verse with its Three principle teachings and Tridlung of Medium Thun.

20th March 10-12am. (STARTS PDT 5PM MONDAY, MARCH 19)Transmitting the 4th of Zhaldam verse with its Three principle teachings.

21st March 10-12.00 (STARTS PDT 5PM TUESDAY, MARCH 20)Transmitting more detail the teaching of Tsgsum naddeg and Tridlung of Medium Gana Puja.

22nd March 10-12am. (STARTS PDT 5PM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21)Advice for the practices of how to integrate in daily life and tridlungs of collective practices.

22nd March 1-2pm. (STARTS PDT 8PM WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21)We do a Medium Gana Puja for the New Moon and end of this retreat.

Something I have a habit of doing when offering to the dharmapalas is filling a serkyem with offering substances, as the support torma. Is this considered acceptable, or complimentary to do in the context of a DC Tun or Ganapuja? I don't recall ever seeing a physical support offered to the protectors in any DC event I've been to, or Rinpoche ever mentioning it, so it clearly doesn't seem to be a requirement, -but is it acceptable to include if one likes and has the proper materials?

Contentment is the ultimate wealth;Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha

Adamantine wrote:Something I have a habit of doing when offering to the dharmapalas is filling a serkyem with offering substances, as the support torma. Is this considered acceptable, or complimentary to do in the context of a DC Tun or Ganapuja? I don't recall ever seeing a physical support offered to the protectors in any DC event I've been to, or Rinpoche ever mentioning it, so it clearly doesn't seem to be a requirement, -but is it acceptable to include if one likes and has the proper materials?

Adamantine wrote:Something I have a habit of doing when offering to the dharmapalas is filling a serkyem with offering substances, as the support torma. Is this considered acceptable, or complimentary to do in the context of a DC Tun or Ganapuja? I don't recall ever seeing a physical support offered to the protectors in any DC event I've been to, or Rinpoche ever mentioning it, so it clearly doesn't seem to be a requirement, -but is it acceptable to include if one likes and has the proper materials?

Thanks Magnus. But the description says it is specifically the "Degyed Serkyem practice composed by Nubchen Sangye Yeshe" that ChNN explains in that text.Is this supposed to be applied to the DC tuns and ganapujas?

And are the instructions vastly different from the serkyem conduct of the Dudjom Tersar? I'd rather not spend the time and money if it's what I'm already familiar with...

Contentment is the ultimate wealth;Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha

Adamantine wrote:Something I have a habit of doing when offering to the dharmapalas is filling a serkyem with offering substances, as the support torma. Is this considered acceptable, or complimentary to do in the context of a DC Tun or Ganapuja? I don't recall ever seeing a physical support offered to the protectors in any DC event I've been to, or Rinpoche ever mentioning it, so it clearly doesn't seem to be a requirement, -but is it acceptable to include if one likes and has the proper materials?

I also do that occasionally.

"My view is as vast as the sky, but my actions are finer than flour" ~ Padmasambhava ~

Adamantine wrote:Something I have a habit of doing when offering to the dharmapalas is filling a serkyem with offering substances, as the support torma. Is this considered acceptable, or complimentary to do in the context of a DC Tun or Ganapuja? I don't recall ever seeing a physical support offered to the protectors in any DC event I've been to, or Rinpoche ever mentioning it, so it clearly doesn't seem to be a requirement, -but is it acceptable to include if one likes and has the proper materials?

Thanks Magnus. But the description says it is specifically the "Degyed Serkyem practice composed by Nubchen Sangye Yeshe" that ChNN explains in that text.Is this supposed to be applied to the DC tuns and ganapujas?

And are the instructions vastly different from the serkyem conduct of the Dudjom Tersar? I'd rather not spend the time and money if it's what I'm already familiar with...

Not sure about the difference between ChNNR text and the Dudjom Tersar style. But if you ask me I would just keep on doing it they I was taught to do it. There might be other ways to do it, but that don't make the old ways wrong.

/magnus

"To reject practice by saying, 'it is conceptual!' is the path of fools. A tendency of the inexperienced and something to be avoided."- Longchenpa

Adamantine wrote:Thanks Magnus. But the description says it is specifically the "Degyed Serkyem practice composed by Nubchen Sangye Yeshe" that ChNN explains in that text.Is this supposed to be applied to the DC tuns and ganapujas?

And are the instructions vastly different from the serkyem conduct of the Dudjom Tersar? I'd rather not spend the time and money if it's what I'm already familiar with...

Not sure about the difference between ChNNR text and the Dudjom Tersar style. But if you ask me I would just keep on doing it they I was taught to do it. There might be other ways to do it, but that don't make the old ways wrong.

/magnus

Yeah, well I won't stop doing my tersar practices-- that's my mainstay. But the question is more if I feel like doing a DC ganapuja or tun at home, which I've been known to do from time to time-- does it make sense to include a filled serkyem (according to how I would do for tersar) as a support for all the protector practices, or are they intended to be primarily intangible offerings, related to one's own awareness and the sense doors, without the relative supports?

Contentment is the ultimate wealth;Detachment is the final happiness. ~Sri Saraha

Adamantine wrote:Thanks Magnus. But the description says it is specifically the "Degyed Serkyem practice composed by Nubchen Sangye Yeshe" that ChNN explains in that text.Is this supposed to be applied to the DC tuns and ganapujas?

And are the instructions vastly different from the serkyem conduct of the Dudjom Tersar? I'd rather not spend the time and money if it's what I'm already familiar with...

Not sure about the difference between ChNNR text and the Dudjom Tersar style. But if you ask me I would just keep on doing it they I was taught to do it. There might be other ways to do it, but that don't make the old ways wrong.

/magnus

Yeah, well I won't stop doing my tersar practices-- that's my mainstay. But the question is more if I feel like doing a DC ganapuja or tun at home, which I've been known to do from time to time-- does it make sense to include a filled serkyem (according to how I would do for tersar) as a support for all the protector practices, or are they intended to be primarily intangible offerings, related to one's own awareness and the sense doors, without the relative supports?

To me it makes perfect sense. That was probably not that helpful.

/magnus

"To reject practice by saying, 'it is conceptual!' is the path of fools. A tendency of the inexperienced and something to be avoided."- Longchenpa

Adamantine wrote:Thanks Magnus. But the description says it is specifically the "Degyed Serkyem practice composed by Nubchen Sangye Yeshe" that ChNN explains in that text.Is this supposed to be applied to the DC tuns and ganapujas?

And are the instructions vastly different from the serkyem conduct of the Dudjom Tersar? I'd rather not spend the time and money if it's what I'm already familiar with...

Not sure about the difference between ChNNR text and the Dudjom Tersar style. But if you ask me I would just keep on doing it they I was taught to do it. There might be other ways to do it, but that don't make the old ways wrong.

/magnus

Yeah, well I won't stop doing my tersar practices-- that's my mainstay. But the question is more if I feel like doing a DC ganapuja or tun at home, which I've been known to do from time to time-- does it make sense to include a filled serkyem (according to how I would do for tersar) as a support for all the protector practices, or are they intended to be primarily intangible offerings, related to one's own awareness and the sense doors, without the relative supports?

If we refere to the general and repeated advice of Rinpoche, we have to work with our circumstances ... therefore it makes sense. If it would'nt, then even the whole practice would not have a sense.

Sönam

By understanding everything you perceive from the perspective of the view, you are freed from the constraints of philosophical beliefs.By understanding that any and all mental activity is meditation, you are freed from arbitrary divisions between formal sessions and postmeditation activity.- Longchen Rabjam -

In Guardians of the Teaching, Namdrol wrote:When you do medium thun for example, it is sufficient to visualize offerings. If you want to set them up, that is ok too. Whatever you have space and time for.

In general, there are only two things that you need for offerings (apart from the Ganapuja), according to my understanding of ChNN's intent: light and incense, and even these are not absolutely required.

If you like setting out water offerings, sense offering, medicine and blood, tormas and so on -- go for it -- but it is not absolutely necessary. After all, the universe is a torma according to the torma tantra.

Therefore in regard to working with circumstances, in my case I currently cannot burn incense where I live, so if I were to offer Sang and Serkyem, I would have to take Sang incense and try to distill into an essential oil in order to use in my essential oil diffuser (whenever performing a Puja, I at least try to diffuse essential oil, even if it's just some Sage oil or something that I have on hand).